I was diagnosed a few days ago by my local GP as having glandular fever. I have almost all the symptoms and am feeling terrible. I am a teacher of fi...

Question

I have almost all the symptoms and am feeling terrible. I am a teacher of five and six year olds and am getting myself very worked up over how long I will have to be absent from work.

What is the usual length of time glandular fever lasts for and will the fact that my job is very physically demanding (I can't sit down for even one second while in the classroom) going to affect the length of time I am likely to be off for?

Answer

Bad luck acquiring glandular fever (GF). I'm sure that you do feel terrible because infection with the Epstein- Barr virus produces similar symptoms to influenza.

You will probably have a fever, headache and general tiredness and weakness as well as a sore throat.

Just how long you may need to be off work will depend upon your general fitness and severely you are affected by the virus; most young people such as yourself manage to avoid complications.

You should rest, in bed if you have a fever, and avoid alcohol; when the temperature passes you will need to eat well, rest lots, and very gradually resume gentle physical activity.

If you have GF that has been confirmed by a blood test, I doubt that you will return to a physically demanding job this academic term.

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